Va. Tech to play Cincinnati at FedEx Field

Virginia Tech will play Cincinnati at FedEx Field in 2012, the third time since 2004 that the Hokies will play in the Washington Redskins stadium.

The meeting between Virginia Tech and Cincinnati was initially scheduled for this season, but the date was switched when the Hokies received an offer to open their season against Alabama in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide won, 34-24.

When the teams play at FedEx Field, it will be a home game for the Bearcats, who are 10-0 and ranked fifth this season. In 2006, Cincinnati lost to the Hokies, 29-13, in a game played in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati, 20-7, in last season’s Orange Bowl.

“This game, a rematch of the 2009 Orange Bowl, highlights two outstanding programs and continues FedEx Field’s commitment to hosting the most competitive and nationally acclaimed match ups in the country,” Mitch Gershman, the Redskins’ chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

Virginia Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver was not available to comment.

Virginia Tech is scheduled to play Boise State at FedEx Field in 2010, and it opened its season there in 2004, losing to Southern California.

The Redskins have recently made an effort to schedule high-profile college football games at FedEx Field, which will host the Indiana-Penn State game in 2010 and the 112th Army-Navy game in 2011. The facility, which is the largest used by a professional sports team in the country, seats 91,704.

The financial terms of Virginia Tech’s meeting with Cincinnati were not immediately available. The Hokies will receive $2.35 million to play Boise State at FedEx Field; it will be Cincinnati’s first visit to the stadium.

Information about ticket sales and kickoff time will be released at a later date.